Unfortunately the problem you describe is one of the symptoms of the notorious "lens cap" image sensor defect, and which "would have" qualified for a special JVC free repair as the model mentioned is on the list of models susceptible to developing the problem, "would have" being mentioned as the free repair offer was only valid up to the end of June 2009 after having been running for nearly three years, the qualification on receiving the repair being that the person requesting it had to be the original purchaser of the device and have proof of this fact, the "original" purchase receipt being the usual item shown although credit card receipt proof can usually also be accepted. Of course its not completely unknown for JVC to "sometimes" carry out a good will repair so I would contact JVC customer services and have a word with them, however should you have purchased the camcorder second hand I would refrain from mentioning this fact.